USA Track & Field Foundation Announces 2026 Elite Athlete Development Grant Awards

04 Sep USA Track & Field Foundation Announces 2026 Elite Athlete Development Grant Awards

Behind every breakthrough performance is a season of preparation, sacrifice, and investment. For athletes competing at the highest level of track & field, having the right support can make all the difference—providing the resources they need to compete, reach their full potential, and ultimately pursue a place on the podium.

The USA Track & Field Foundation is continuing its commitment to that pursuit with the announcement of its 2026 Elite Athlete Development Grant award winners. This year, $750,000 will be awarded to 50 athletes. The Elite Athlete Development program provides support for emerging and mid-career athletes, with an ongoing commitment to easing the financial demands of training and competing at the elite level. Through direct financial assistance, the grants are designed to help athletes offset the costs associated with competing professionally and provide greater flexibility to focus on training, competition, and long-term development.

Elite Athlete grants are awarded through a competitive selection process. The Elite Athlete Development applications are carefully reviewed and determined by the USATF Foundation Elite Grant Committee, based on a combination of athletic performance, character references and an extra emphasis on financial need.

The financial realities of professional track & field can extend far beyond competition itself. Travel, coaching, training, equipment, medical care, recovery, and everyday life expenses can create a significant challenge for athletes as they pursue their goals.

Olympian Jaida Ross, who finished fourth in the women’s shot put at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and captured the 2024 NCAA Division I title in the event, expressed her gratitude for the Foundation’s support as she looks ahead to the next stage of her career.

“Thank you so much to the USATF Foundation for awarding me the 2026 Elite Athlete Development Grant! It means so much to have people in my corner who believe in what I’m doing and continue to invest in my journey. Heading into these next two big years, this support gives me huge momentum and allows me to put everything I have into preparing for the World Championships and ultimately for LA2028. I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity and for everyone who continues to believe in me. I won’t let you down.”

As the sport continues to build momentum toward the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, supporting athletes at every stage of their careers remains a central part of the Foundation’s mission. The Elite Athlete Development program is dedicated to nurturing the development of track and field talent in the United States including both rising stars and experienced athletes.

New in 2026, the Foundation is also introducing its inaugural Ambassador Grants, awarding $10,000 each to a select group of longtime Foundation-supported athletes who have distinguished themselves both on the world stage and through their commitment to the Foundation’s mission.

Ambassador Grant recipients are athletes who have received Foundation support throughout multiple stages of their careers, earned a medal at the Olympic Games or World Championships, and have consistently given back to the sport and the Foundation community. Whether participating in Foundation events, engaging with youth athletes, building relationships with supporters, or helping advance the Foundation’s work, these athletes have demonstrated what it means to be an ambassador for track & field beyond their own competitive success.

The following 50 athletes will receive USATF Foundation Elite Athlete Development Grants in the amount of $15,000 each:

The following 9 athletes will receive USATF Foundation Ambassador Grants in the amount of $10,000 each: